Carbon Footprint Analysis and Environmental Initiatives: A Case Study of Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, H.P., INDIA

Abstract

Carbon footprints (CFs) serve as a metric for quantifying the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) attributable to a specific organization or activity. Taking a step towards fostering sustainable practices in education institution involves reporting CF levels within college campuses. This research centers on computing the carbon footprint of Himachal Pradesh University's Shimla campus (2020-2023), with a focus on understanding emissions trends, particularly the transition from lockdown (2020–2021) to post-lockdown (2021–2022 and 2022–2023) periods amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aims to address the challenge posed by educational institutions' substantial energy demands, contributing significantly to GHG emissions. Achieving net-zero emissions remains a formidable task for educational institutions, even with options like remote work and learning. The study underscores the persisting challenge of insufficiently addressing these concerns, despite the potential for students to play a role in mitigating greenhouse gas emission issues with the right information and resources. The research employs the Greenhouse Gas Protocol method to compute the Scope 1 carbon footprint of energy sources, encompassing kerosene, petrol, diesel, and LPG. This approach empowers educational institutions and businesses to construct dependable inventories of their GHG emissions, facilitating progress monitoring and the cultivation of sustainable practices aligned with climate objectives. By utilizing the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the study evaluates Scope 1 emissions from energy sources like kerosene, petrol, diesel, and LPG, offering a systematic approach for institutions to create reliable inventories aligned with climate goals. The findings highlight kerosene as the predominant contributor, prompting the study to recommend curbing the use of conventional energy sources and transitioning to alternatives. Additionally, the research conducts Scope 2 emission calculations to compare the carbon footprint resulting from electricity consumption, contrasting coal-based electricity generation with hydropower generation. Valuable insights are provided for universities to leverage calculated carbon footprints in identifying effective emission reduction strategies. The study identifies information gaps and inefficient data collection as significant challenges, proposing energy-saving measures and enhanced procurement strategies as beneficial mitigation measures.